I think I was only home for 2 nights before I got right back on a plane... not exactly what you want to do after just traveling for over 24 hours... but it was worth it. I was lucky enough to have one of my best friends... my cousin Bethany come along. We are both kinda scouting nerds, so we enjoyed ourselves!
Our journey started the first day we got there- we were going to be spending the next six days backpacking 30 miles throughout Philmonts trails. We began by meeting our amazing trail guides Sam and Danika who helped us pack what few belongings we were allowed into our backpacks... this was my first backpacking trip and I did not realize so few items could add up in weight so fast!
We were put into a group with 8 girls, where each of us knew atleast one person. It was fun to watch as the week went on how each of us branched out and became close friends!
While we were getting packed and meeting everyone in our group I met with one of the board members of the general young mens presidency who asked me to be our groups chaplain aid- which meant I led devotionals each night, prayers before each treck and tried to keep everyone positive and motivated- it was quite the responsibility, I really enjoyed it, I was able to become closer to each of the girls and strengthen my own testimony even more. After each of the groups chaplains aids were picked we all had the opportunity to meet with President Beck, the General Young Men's President. :)
I had SO much fun on this Treck, I fell even more in love with the outdoors and learning to live with what I could carry on my back. Even with how much fun i had, it was very difficult! Hiking 6-8 miles everyday carrying about 50 pounds then to finally come into camp only to set your tent up, pull bear bags up into the trees and then get dinner ready. It was challenging, yet very rewarding!
Our meals were something that took some adjusting to! We ate trail food for the entire time, usually it was some type of meat in a can, crackers, energy bars and a goodie!
One of my favorite parts of Philmont was the Beautiful scenery! We hiked through some beautiful mountains, along some edges looking out at some amazing views, along rivers- it was nice to have that to distract from the difficulties of the hiking.
One of my favorite spots was one of the base camps we came to, it was the highest elevation we were at the entire time and the mountains opened up to show a view over 3 different states. We were in Mexico and you could see Colorado, Texas and Texas, it was so beautiful- we actually woke up that next morning to see the sunrise... Amazing!
At each base camp we went to there were fun activities for us! The first camp was Hunters Lodge, so we got to spend the evening at their cabin and tell hunting stories
We went to a camp where they took us rockclimbing- which I LOVED :) Another camp we went to let us go shoot 30 ot 6 guns! Probably the most powerful gun I have ever shot. I actually put my hat out on the range and we shot it till there was pretty much nothing left.
My favorite camp we went to was cyphers mine! The staff was exciting and hilarious, we got to sleep in a cabin instead of setting up tents and they put on an amazing performance for us!
We actually got to go to a forgery(I think that is what it's called) and we got to make a J hook! we each got to start by putting on an adorable apron and some sweet safety glasses :)
we each got a turn to twist the handle(I know exciting!) to keep the fire burning and then we got to pound out the hot metal to form it!
It was so much fun the only thing that was bad was the fact that we were in a mall room with a bunch of boys who had been hiking for a week without showering... saying it was a little stinky is quite the understatement!
That night they took us on a mine tour! Going into the mine was pretty cool, we all had on hard hats and we were being guided by an old lantern- it was kinda scary but I was having too much fun to be too scared(which is pretty good for me!) Well once we got to the end they decided to be funny and turn out the lantern and run... leaving all of us girls to get back by ourselves in the complete dark! It was pretty scary and entertaining. Some girls were scared out of their minds, others were trying to scare everyone and I had one girl holding onto me as tight as possible making me be the brave one!!
By the end of the week we were all pretty dirty! Sadly it does not bother me too bad, some girls took bandanna baths in the rivers but I had more fun seeing how dirty I could get and I think I did a pretty good job! I looked so tan... unfortunately it all came off when I finally took a shower!
I think the coolest thing we saw while camping was BEARS!! Yes it is true I saw a bear and not only 1 bear but 3 different bears! It was so amazing... unfortunately we had to scare them away so I didn't get any good pictures. It was funny because the first time we saw the bear instead of all of us running away we actually ran toward it we were so excited. Then later we heard it go into the guys camp and they all ran away screaming!!
The last night of camp we had a nice little photoshoot! I Love these girls so much and we all became very close after only a week together it was hard to think that our journey together would be ending1
Coming back from our treck they had a nice welcome back party with all our parents and the young mens presidency- It was fun to see everyone and give them nice big stinky hugs!!
I loved Philmont, I loved the people I met and would love to work there someday!!
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